Grafton Jacaranda Queen name changed

An exclusive reader poll suggests not everyone is happy with the Jacaranda Queen competition’s name change but community leaders have supported it. Vote in our poll.

A new name for a treasured Grafton event has been overwhelmingly rejected in an exclusive poll for The Daily Examiner readers, while being supported by community leaders and people on social media.

More than 350 readers responded to a question published in a story on Tuesday about the Jacaranda Queen competition being changed to the Grafton Jacaranda Candidate Program.

A majority of respondents, 88 per cent, answered “no” when asked if the name of the Jacaranda Queen competition name should be changed.

The change has come as the competition breaks a tradition of being exclusively open to women to be more gender inclusive.

The Grafton Jacaranda Candidate Program will crown a new Queen, King or Ambassador, depending on what title the winner chooses to take.

The Jacaranda Queen candidates and Matron of Honour for 2021.

Clarence Valley Mayor Ian Tiley said the step was in line with legislative change.

Rather than use the title Queen, Mr Tiley preferred the all-inclusive competition name change.

“My initial reaction is Jacaranda Queen would tend to exclude males, and anyone identifying as LGBTQI+,” Mr Tiley said.

“I might make some enemies there but that’s what I believe,” he said.

Clarence Valley Mayor Ian Tiley is supportive of inclusivity in the competition’s new name.

Former Mayor and now 2GF radio announcer Richie Williamson said he had always been a strong supporter of the Jacaranda Festival.

“It’s the heart beat of our community,” he said.

“I don’t have a problem with the competition name change.

“I think that’s fine,” he said.

Comments on The Daily Examiner Facebook page included input from Aschleigh Perring, who said the competition changes were an amazing, progressive leap for Grafton.

“Yes, I appreciate the argument about change, but if the festival hadn’t changed from the first one, it would have died 80 years ago. Ambassadors representing Grafton is outstanding,” Aschleigh’s post reads.

Meanwhile, Julie White questioned the need for a change.

“It seems to have worked perfectly fine with so many beautiful female queens for over 80 years,” Julie’s post reads.

“Don’t mess with something that works as is.

“A king has been brought into the mix, but was unsuccessful from memory.”

Grafton Jacaranda Festival manager Mark Blackadder declined to comment.